On This Day, 22 July 1918

Birmingham Mail

Monday 22 July 1918

AN OFFICIAL WARNING.

APPEAL TO THE PATRIOTIC.

A poster, in the attached terms, has been despatched to be displayed to-night at Coventry, Manchester, and Birmingham: –

The threatened stoppage of work is not an ordinary trade dispute between employers and workmen, but an attempt to overthrow the policy of the State in a time of national danger. Many who support it are acting under misapprehension of the real issues.

The Government’s only object is to use the skilled labour of the country so as to give the greatest help to our Armies at the front.

A stoppage of work now will do much injury to our cause during the most critical battles of the war. Any person who is guilty of inciting others to leave work, or takes any part in organising the strike, renders himself liable to very serious penalties under the Defence of the Realm Act.

The Ministry of Munitions calls upon all patriotic men to remain at their work, and lend no aid to a movement which may have consequences of the greatest kind.